If we couldn't win in '94/95 when Jordan came out of "retirement", I doubt we can be contenders this year. That team was much better, and Jordan >> Rose. We have some flexibility next offseason (depending on how much we sign Gibson for and if we use the amnesty on Boozer), and the '13/14 season should be our return to contender status when Rose is completely healthy.

Not that I believe a Rose comeback this season will push the Bulls into title mode, but the Jordan comparison is apples:oranges.

Jordan conditioned himself to play baseball, where Rose is still conditioning for basketball. The Bulls are planning and still building around Rose now, where they weren't planning around Jordan in 95 until after he came back. There is a pretty big difference there.